Creative Guncha

Mother Earth - Heal Thyself Mother, O Mother what have we done to you ! Crushed your soul, abused you Your tender sleeve of flora uprooted The soothing watery streams polluted Air is no longer pure or calm Mother, O Mother such proverbial harm ! Microbial fossils before the sapiens came Yet inventing, innovating we played a dangerous game. Venturing on some gigantic ego traps We set up intricate antibiotic labs. Destroying, defeating, dismantling microbes, What a farce, our wisdom grandiose ! How you rumbled quaking, erupting Tsunamis displayed your righteous  mumbling. We failed to stop our malefaction A minuscule cell fell our deceptive kingdom. No rules were set, no statute kept Indiscriminately we chopped, ripped and bled O Mother thou so munificent, magnanimous, generous, benevolent Envelope us in - Ameliorate! Chirping birds, humming swallows, blooming flowers, faunal wallows, Dew laden grass, lush green moss, clear skies, sun kissed casques Mo...

The Accident Wounded and bleeding he was wheeled in. Eyes swollen, vision blurred, head reeling. Zigzag gashes on cheeks, eyes and lips, Emergency protocol in place. Smell of scrubs and disinfectants overpowering Cosmetics of concern, dermatologist was called in. Lady in starched white doctor’s coat entered. One look at the victim and she staggered, A lapse so momentary that one would doubt it happened ! Composed now, suturing him, first aid she gave him Giving a week for recovery and skin grafting, she left him. Alone in her den Her memory evoked Their school bus she remembered The victim hectoring Her dark and freckled appearance ! Thankful now for the Accident that brought her face to face With the man who for so long in her memory had gnawed her ! Recovered enough for skin graft, The man now for the first time saw her. Recognition dawned on him Shock, denial, acceptance then repentance !!! Accidental was their meeting The Accident was his Redemptio...

The Ring! With hugs of joy, Promise of a love lasting a lifetime, A million dollar smile, The two souls tied a knot in a union divine. To spend a life of love, health and passion. But the tides of time can turn in a blink of an eye ! On an unforgiving stormy night, Disaster struck with might. As sailing in an ocean serene, Their sailboat capsized! The lovers were justified In pledging faithfulness after death, as in life. As the damsel petite frightened, quivered all night. Drenching wet the young man stood bold. In adversity taking a firm hold. Swimming with his beloved, he drifted ashore. The unfamiliar island, wet, and cold. Distraught, the young man fought To keep warm his beloved and her spirit buoyant yet calm. He wrapped his arms around her neck in a RING ! There the rescue boat found them in the morn, Two angels, unconscious, serene. Arms wrapped tightly around each other’s neck Forming inseparable loops of life, their RINGS of Love and Securit...

PARADISE Square den clouded with smoke Rock star lying wasted, doped ! Abrupt shock of colours geometrically aligned, Hexagons upon hexagons forming a labyrinthine tunnel, Sucking him weightlessly into the labyrinth. Sudden calm followed by the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Then memory induced by an old melody, that first rain and petrichor ! The dopamine played havoc As the rock star reached a high, his PARADISE ! His breathing laboured, skin dull, lips black ! Euphoria from addiction lasting till his next drag ! The peace, calm and serenity Attained after a productive day Spent tilling the land One with nature, seed to sapling The Alchemist looked radiant Tanned, baked in the sunlight His sleep quiescent, his thoughts tangible No dreams to cloud His world real, his PARADISE sublime ! Dr. Guncha Gupta 9/03/2020

Geisha Deciduous like a willow Graceful, subtle Painted she stands An artist grand. Pleasantly in her haven What a maven ! Adorning a kimono A Japanese beacon. Soft and tender Magic she weaves Her countenance gentle Yet time she can freeze ! Skilfully entertaining mannequin like sprite Witty and intelligent with equal ease. Spiritedly pouring spirits She flirts, Oh! What a tease ! Her lips parted in a pout Eyes, discreet ! Bejewelled minimally to awaken all senses Tormenting, suggestive, yet never  free ! Dr. Guncha Gupta 3/3/2020

Gandhi A thought, a vision, a power, a weapon, A debate, an illusion, a truth, a rebellion A leader, a lawyer or a stooge ! A soul, a body or superb imagination. A man, a nation’s need - pressing and urgent. An idol born to unshackle a people Liberate the enslaved, Strengthen the cripple. A force to reckon with Polite yet firm. A rising tide against apartheid, atrocities and unjust taxation. Ahimsa, Satyagrah and Independence Movements from a nation meek Against all the British cheek Synonymous now with Mahatma, Father of the Nation A man who conceived the idea of Harijans Stood for unity and freedom Peaceful in life Truthful in death Accidental his consent to national division ? Dr. Guncha Gupta 2/3/2020

Coercion ! While he strives to protect the lot Of his country, a geographic spot, Unmindful of his cuts and wounds With unsightly events his mind’s consumed. Heart heavy and a blemished soul, Unwavering strength he still can dole. For a noble woman awaits his return, Filled with anguish and concern. For her son, a precious soul Straight featured, taciturn ! There is so much she wishes to convey, To this hardened world some day. Of perseverance and sacrifice, Of anticipations and parting cries ! Her mind is full. At her heart strings she pulls. Bridling them to stay on course, Pretending courage, her throat hoarse, From secret cries, Some useless tries Of negotiations with Almighty. Oh what a price ! She trades and barters In her mind she charters, A flight to the unforeseen land. If only her precious can be returned In place of her, She’s turned a Marchand ! Offering everything she possibly can, Her prayers unanswered With hardened heart she now ...

Meditation! Searching for peace, Posture yogic, eyes shut. I sit in meditation, My soul attempting to rebut A world full of perfect lines, Standing, slanting, sleeping, That form giant skyscrapers. Dark sky fuming, With smoggy grey clouds, Raring to engulf human souls ! Deep in meditation still, Attempting to block out the world mean. Carving a niche deeper, In the blades of grass green. Intently exhaling the fumes, Involuntarily inhaling deep the toxins ! Pretending now to achieve A state of yogic dream. Of exuberant colours, Red, yellow, orange and cream; Subtle alchemy to turn the air clean, Like a mentalist working unseen. Sudden peals of laughter from teens, Gossiping nearby sitting in teams. Breaking me out of my reverie, And my pretend dream. Of music crescendoing, Air fresh and clean ! My eyes slightly opening To slits that detect Another human being. Close by in the lanes and lanes, Of rich vehicles parked, A visibly bored cyclist sl...

The Red Lipstick ! The enchantress steps out, Armed with her arsenal, a pout. She has arrived and is here to stay No bad, sad, bleak or black day, Can stop the tempest in her purposeful stride, As her red lips form that perfect smile. The laughter ringing with confidence supreme, A business can take off or crash down at her will. A torrent can follow her or a traffic stand still, If she opens those red lips and laughter spills. Her little handbag with a raised flap, Smaller is the treasure in her fistful clasp. Admiring herself in a mirror at hand, Her red lipstick plays a trick grand. Setting up a pace for a day new, Her spirits soaring as she takes a pew. Secretive is the reflection that stares back, Splashing the canvas red, right on track ! The warmth of a bosom can this red seem to a child, Fiery like a seductress she makes men follow her wild ! Intentful, determined epitomise her, Cool too casually becomes her ! Her red lipstick’s truly a weapon heady, ...

The Litigation! The drama unfolded, In a packed courtroom. Damsel in distress, Young man, clueless. In their hearts, no desertion. A little agitation, Maybe some aggression. Looking for a re-conciliation, Surely not proper litigation. Handsome youth, Damsel petite. Had fallen in love, Like a magic trick. The sky was dark, Bright stars were quick. To cast a spell, And weave a lovely flick. Love seemed thick, Worth a photo click! What went wrong in their connection? Attorneys there were in contention! Plaintiff and Litigant - A well planned disputation. As they declared the case to rest.  At the equal division of everything the couple possessed! How to divide was anybody’s guess! The drama turned humorous, As the little pooch whimpered, To see his doggy possessions scattered, While they divided and bickered, He to the lady’s lap scampered, Lest they bisect him in division! The car being the man’s prized possession, The damsel was ready to use dis...

Butterfly I am a little butterfly With patterned bright wings, Flying over the mountains Swaying with the winds. Flitting on branches Of trees brown green, Spotting round peaches Coloured red green. I look for flowers With petals that gleam, To suck out the nectar It feels like a dream. I swiftly fly away Chased by children or by teens, Poking around bushes Standing in a team. I can see colours Men cannot even dream, Bobbing in the moonlight While humans sleep. Defining freedom Skimming up a stream, Silence is my forte I don’t scream ! Symmetrical I may be My species umpteen, Myriad are my colours Attribute of my genes. Camouflaging in buttercups Blooming yellow cream, Managing to hide Even when I preen ! I am a little butterfly Swaying in the wind. Dr. Guncha Gupta 3/7/2019

Language Fun ! The love of the language Expressed in poetry to assuage A desire to create. Using words to gauge The depth in sentences. Finding meaning at every stage. The nouns in sentences, Meant to avoid pretences. Precisely refer To Mr. Brown, the House, the Jolly Town or simply the Clown ! Or an event if one prefers. Like the Ball at the Simpsons. Distinguishing Proper from Common. Naming a person in particular Or define a class all common. Countable to Uncountable. A noun singular ! Collective to Possessive. A pride of lions, Or a book that is mine A noun that brings a sense of belonging ! A verb comes handy To describe work dandy. Take action, depict an occurrence. Or suffix them forming gerunds. Playing with a gaggle of geese Or teasing a swarm of bees ! Marching like an Army of soldiers Or sailing with a crew of sailors ! Smelling a bouquet of flowers To watching a galaxy of stars ! And when one doesn’t like to name, Pronoun can with a...

Imperfect Life The tides of time have always vouched, For perfections that are fairly couched. From edgy rocks that rivers trimmed and transformed, Into solid pebbles with curves smooth round. The pots without cracks, Lives rolling on perfect tracks. The sunrise, the sunset Like clockwork present, Not a day missed nor a night lost. The universe in perfect a sync, Celestial bodies on set orbits blink. But even on a perfect weather day Sky can turn blue or gray, The day from sad to gay, And universe shed asteroids away, Life may seem not as perfect say. The tides of time I feel have changed, And it is time to embrace The scarred, broken, blemished or bent With equal aplomb and grace. For times ahead herald a trace, Of uniqueness and of new ways ! The broken flute exclusively plays, A tune not heard in many ways. That cracked pot could be used, Hung up high to water like dew. The lush green colour of plants so real, But the leaves red or brown too look d...

Desires Inexplicable, Innumerable, Certainly not innominate. Innocent, innoxious A few wayward desires. Some wishes, A few hopes Straight from the heart. Long woven, Still give me a start. Mostly selfish, The truth, O God ! But certainly not unacceptable Or impossible to provide for. Just a few gestures, A few words that acknowledge my presence. Simple, Yet make me delirious. A few moments Fun-filled, exhilarating Not to be asked for ? Dr. Guncha Gupta 3/6/19

A Fuzzy Cool Guest As I lay resting on my bed in the dorm, The soft sun rays slanting, fell on my face, keeping me warm. Through the window above my head, Eyes closed as I played sleeping or dead ! A velvet duvet circled my legs, An attempt to keep the cold out that stole suddenly as the weather transformed. Typical of that piece of land. Unaware I lay As the door opened. Unaware of the soft, stealthy paws, Hopping playfully on the floor across my bed. Unaware of the cute mess created, The pages of a book flying across the room. Pens chewed upon. Sweater sprawled. A cozy made for ‘the guest’ ! And then, soft paws I felt along my legs, Through my duvet Moving upwards. Promising to spank me awake, Gave me a certain start. As I lay staring Into a pair of familiar watchful eyes. Of my uninvited, fuzzy, cool guest Staring keenly, Unrelenting, Teaching me reproachfully, The importance of time I wasted ! The agility of kittens and lethargy of humans !

My masterpiece ! I sit down with some paper and a pen, Making up my mind I set up a premise pretence. Then I open up my imagery sack, Full of consonants that I bead together with vowels onto a thoughtful track. Cleverly to this some punctuations and adjectives I add. As my thoughts meander I knit a premise grander ! A fable of characters unique, A story fresh but with an appeal antique. The words elusive come in a jumble, One after another out they tumble. From left to right I try and write, But if the picture I find still fails to excite A word from the left I then slyly slide, Brining it to the right till my verse can glide. A lot of chopping and cutting goes on Till a metrical composition says it all. A stitch in point, Or edit in a line, Till everything seems fine, For poetry, prose or simply a rhyme. With every work when I open my imagery sack, I pull out expressions with rhythms grand ! A lyrical emotion I attempt to weave, Aspiring to have a style ...

The wish candle ! As each year passes by Birthday cakes that I buy, With candles that symbolise The number in my years specified. An extra candle I like to light Shutting my eyes to blow out all but my, Extra candle with a smile As a wishing list I epitomize ! So many birthdays gone by Moon like cakes that I buy, Keeping a tradition alive Offering prayers to Artemis, With candles that signify Reflections like moon light ! The extra candle with passion I ignite Lest it lose its light, Or the smoke fail to vaporise And reach high, Up to the Gods in the skies ! What a bounty I can recollect, Blowing with my candles a bag full of wishes that I could select. From candies to toys, From dresses, shoes to boys ! From exam results to professional successes and employs ! Moon cakes now I buy For my daughter, love of my life, And as candles I light A very different wish my heart likes, Of smiles, happiness, good health and simple joys I wish for her to enjo...

The Friendly Tree ! The little birdy chirps around, In the park hopping up and down. It rolls its head from side to side, Till a tree is well within its sight. It whistles a long tune, Calling its mate to come soon. And see the tree arched sturdy, A place it seems to find worthy. Yellow flowers growing in bunches, In abundance from its many branches, Drooping down Towards the ground  With long black beans too hanging down. Sitting on the park bench under that tree, In amazement, I watch with glee. Now its mate has joined it too, To inspect the tree without ado. Chirping and hopping they keep up the banter, The mate seems keen to pamper, Our little birdy as he lovingly pecks, At his mate’s neck. In tandem they fly and perch, At the highest branch after quite a search. I feel some flower bunches fall, Scattering into petals small. I look up and leave my birds, To their banter and their world. And when I return the da...

Romance ! A breezy evening with light drizzle Walking the lane, my hair in a frizzle. My spirit peppy Steps are light. A jute bag I see on the roadside, Under a shed for bus rides. Green corn ears with golden threads silk, Peeping out of the bag, an inviting trick ! Flowing around husks of the ilk. My gaze caught, Alluring aroma brought in a waft, My steps falling in a line towards the lot. An old woman fanning over, Flames of burning coal hovering over. Golden maize seeds on the cob roasting over. The iron cauldron and charcoal cover. That smell of burnt, blackened, charred corn, Lemon juice and spiced salt powdered on. Salivating as I wait my turn, Poking at a few to see which would soft milk churn. Selecting my find, I hand it to old woman, so kind To roast and sear, Gold tasseled corn ear so dear. I take a bite And Instant gratification I find. Satiation of olfaction as well as gustation ! My idea of a romantic indulgence! Dr. Guncha Gupta 16/5/19 ...

Memories Into a labyrinth, My mind wanders. Fumbling upon memories Of childhood blunders. In my heart distinctly etched Some enchanting tales, Some little wonders ! Memories of our first piece of land. Our house under construction, We walking with grandmother hand in hand. The large family and even larger plans. The playful laughter, Our games grand. The little old coin and a metal elephant toy, Presents from grandmother that I dug deep in the sand. Meaning to retrieve them, My treasure hunt planned. Going back to search that patch of land, Only to find a beautiful sapling Arising from the earth where my treasures sank ! Waiting patiently for the tree branches to span, And bring me a treasure trove of metal elephants and coins to pluck as and when I command ! Instead received juicy lemons as prize for my patience ! That I simply could not withstand. My memory journeys Into the naughtiest instances Of sibling pranks. My little brother and those gra...